Tubular Dowel Bars

O‑Dowel is a tubular steel dowel bar designed to deliver the same structural performance as traditional solid steel dowels while improving safety, durability, and efficiency.
It uses the same high-strength steel found in conventional dowel bars but in a lightweight hollow configuration that maintains load transfer capabilities. This design can improve handling on job sites, enhance corrosion resistance, and support long-term pavement performance.

Yes, AASHTO specifications include both material requirements and standardized testing procedures to evaluate dowel bar performance.
These tests are designed to assess critical factors such as load transfer efficiency, corrosion resistance, and structural durability. Independent testing has been conducted across multiple dowel bar types to validate their performance under real-world conditions.

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and AASHTO publish specifications (for example, AASHTO MP 049 and AASHTO TP 149M/TP 149) that outline the different types of dowel bars approved for use in jointed concrete pavements. These standards include traditional solid steel, epoxy-coated, stainless steel, and tubular dowel bars. State DOTs individually approve dowel bar type. 
As these specifications evolve, they increasingly include alternative designs like tubular steel dowels, which are engineered to offer comparable structural performance while improving durability and installation efficiency.

Yes, O‑Dowel is designed to be a cost-effective alternative to traditional solid epoxy-coated dowel bars.
In addition to competitive material pricing, its lighter weight can improve freight efficiency and reduce handling and installation costs on the job site. These factors combine to create potential savings across the full project lifecycle.

Corrosion resistance is a critical factor in dowel bar performance, particularly in environments exposed to moisture and deicing salts.
O‑Dowel incorporates multiple layers of protection, including galvanization and epoxy coatings, which can significantly improve resistance to corrosion compared to traditional epoxy-coated solid steel dowels. Independent testing has demonstrated substantially improved corrosion performance.

Yes, O‑Dowel is designed for long-term durability and extended service life in concrete pavement applications.
Its tubular design allows for both internal and external galvanization, providing additional protection against corrosion. When combined with epoxy coatings, this multi-layer protection system helps support longer pavement life and is suitable for high-performance and long-life pavement designs.

Yes, O‑Dowel is compatible with standard dowel bar inserter (DBI) equipment used in slipform paving operations.
It has been tested with major DBI systems and does not require changes to standard installation processes, allowing contractors to integrate it into existing workflows.

O‑Dowel offers several advantages compared to traditional solid dowel bars, depending on project requirements.
These include reduced weight for easier handling, improved corrosion resistance, potential cost efficiencies, and environmental benefits such as reduced material usage and full recyclability. These factors make it a strong alternative for projects prioritizing performance, durability, and efficiency.